The js article is ridiculous as was pointed out but as much as I disagree with their politics and the pointed nature of the article, they do have a point in the broader issue. The spirit of the law was to allow mfl open to have access for everyone and closed to be closed.

There is no comparison to writing off mortgage interest or claiming a dependent. If their was a loophole and allowed me to claim my sisters child you would have a point but that isn't the case. That being said, If I had the means to own enough land and take advantage of this loop hole I most certainly would but that doesn't change the fact this loop hole is a screwup that needs to be fixed. The legislature's job is to serve the greater good for all and clearly only a few are benefiting in this situation.

Land that is being taxed at reduced rates to allow access for the greater good of Wisconsin residents is not open and the benefit is being taken advantage of. This is clearly a case when the legislature needs to fix a broken situation. These owners should provide access, use mfl closed or get out. Keep in mind, this benefit that is supposed to "buy access" is not accomplishing that and other landowners are paying higher taxes with no benefit.

RE: Mepps. One of the reasons I stopped reading the Journal/Sentinel decades ago is how they have narrowly focused their "journalism". I know dozens of individual land owners who do the exact same tax maneuver as Mepps. By designating the most interior of their lands as MFL open and desiganting the exterior lands as MFL closed they receive favorable tax breaks. This is not a matter of individual greed but a matter of how the program is structured. Its not a Mepps issue but a Wiscosnin issue. To single out one individual or one company is simple bigotry and poor journalism.

MRGLAX, and you would do the exact same thing if you had the land and money to do what they did. I know I would.

They used the tax code to their advantage just like I'm sure you do. Do you use the mortgage interest tax credit? Do you claim your children as dependents? If so you're doing the same thing as they are - just using the tax code to your advantage.